*Winter Weather Advisory in effect through noon. The forecast is for some lingering snow showers later today, but tomorrow will be warmer and brighter.*
Conventions Funding
The group that runs Atlantic City’s convention center will also have to tighten its belt this year amid the city-wide financial crisis – or at least, a little. The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), which funds the group known as Meet AC, is cutting the group’s budget to $7 million this year. That’s a reduction of 12.5 percent or $1 million, which maybe doesn’t seem like such a raw deal given the city’s mega debt load and compared to the aggressive cuts the state apparently wants the police and fire departments to make. The problem is, as The Press of Atlantic City reports here, bringing new visitors into Atlantic City is crucial to boosting city revenue and helping pay down that crippling debt. The head of Meet AC, James Wood, was hired in 2014 from outside the state to turn the convention business in Atlantic City around and he has had some success. Last year the group saw its best ever year, as measured by the number of booked hotel rooms for future events.
Deep-Fried Muskrat
This Saturday was the 79th annual Lower Alloways Creek muskrat dinner in Salem County, featuring deep-fried muskrat. The event was – once again – sold out, according to NJ Advance Media. There are challenges to hosting such an event, the reporter discovered. In particular, finding people to volunteer their time to organize the dinner is getting harder, said Dinner Chairman Tommy Hill. The event raises money for the township’s fire department. For those of you wondering, muskrat is a “dark, gamey meat” and the accompanying side dishes sound like a feast in themselves.
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The rest of the headlines from this morning and over the weekend include pieces on Assemblyman Chris Brown’s planned Senate run, an effort to get Atlantic City teachers to take early retirement, and New Jersey politicians’ reactions to Trump’s travel ban (Rep. LoBiondo just issued a somewhat convoluted statement here). All that and more here:
Atlantic City Plans Redevelopment of Public Housing–Housing Authority Executive Director Clifford Scott out forward an ambitious plan Thursday to revive the city’s public housing stock. It not only calls for demolition of Stanley Holmes and Buzby Village but also refurbishments to the authority’s senior and disabled towers, such as Jeffries Tower and Altman Terrace. Press of Atlantic City
See the restoration work happening on 2nd oldest lighthouse in N.J.–MAURICE RIVER TWP. -- Sitting on the east side of the Maurice River, East Point Lighthouse continues to be a beacon for the Delaware Bayshore -- a role it has played since it was built in 1849. NJ.com
A.C. Council president proposes early retirement plan for school employees–ATLANTIC CITY — More than 150 city employees have signed up for an early retirement plan, and City Council President Marty Small now wants the same offer extended to school district employees. Press of Atlantic City
Assemblyman Chris Brown makes his state Senate run official–EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – District 2 Assemblyman Chris Brown made it official Friday evening, Jan. 27, by announcing his candidacy for state Senate in front of a large and supportive crowd at the Cardiff VFW. Shore News Today
State’s voters want 100 percent clean energy by 2050, poll says–Most New Jersey voters in both political parties want the state to move to 100 percent clean power by 2050, according to a poll released this week by the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. Press of Atlantic City
Atlantic City celebrates Chinese New Year–ATLANTIC CITY — Residents of different heritages and backgrounds gathered Sunday at Dante Hall to celebrate the start of the Chinese New Year. Press of Atlantic City
New Jersey politicians react to Trump’s travel ban–New Jersey Democrats slammed President Trump's executive order limiting refugees from seven countries. Press of Atlantic City
Pleasantville officers injured on domestic violence call–Two Pleasantville police officers were injured trying to make a domestic violence-related arrest Friday morning. BreakingAC
Charges dismissed in 2014 crash that killed three teens–“Nobody wins,” Melissa Rodriguez sobbed after she was freed from charges of vehicular homicide in a 2014 crash that killed three teens in Pleasantville. BreakingAC
State Police Called To ‘Suspicious Person’ Incident In Tabernacle–A neighborhood here is on edge after a man used his vehicle to prevent a woman, who was accompanied by her son, from pulling out of her driveway on Jan. 24. pinebarrenstribune.com